HR1498 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1498 LRB096 24401 GRL 44056 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives have learned with profound sadness of the passing of Daniel "Coach Cal" Callahan; and

WHEREAS, Coach Cal's death at the age of 52 came much too soon after a battle with cancer described by those who watched as "courageous" and "inspirational"; and

WHEREAS, Coach Cal carved a career of excellence that stretched from the youth and high school baseball diamonds of Springfield to the coach boxes of Lanphier and Springfield High Schools to the campuses of Eastern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Coach Cal grew to be a person who mentored thousands, steered more than 20 players into the Major League Baseball draft, and became the second most victorious skipper at SIU-C; and

WHEREAS, While Coach Cal's on-field accomplishments are notable, it is his contributions to the student athletes who remember his efforts as that of "a second dad" or "life-changing" or "something to be never forgotten" that will be most cherished; and

WHEREAS, Coach Cal's final years, which could have seen him shielding himself from the public eye while battling the ravages of his disease, were spent rejecting "excuses" and placing his family, players, and community first; and

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives join Coach Cal's family, friends, and fans to mourn his passing and recall that Coach Cal will be forever remembered as a leader, standing at the edge of the dugout at Abe Martin Field encouraging extra effort and comforting the near misses; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Daniel "Coach Cal" Callahan and remember him fondly for his contributions to the State of Illinois in making it a better place to live; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Coach Cal's wife, Stacy; his daughters, Alexa and Carly; and his parents, Ann and Gene.